Why Standest Thou Afar, O Lord

Verse 1

Why standest Thou afar, O Lord, Why art Thou hid in trouble's hour? The wicked persecute the poor In haughty pride and reckless power.

Verse 2

Let their devices work their fall, For in their shame is all their pride; And while they seek unrighteous gain, The Lord of justice is defied.

Verse 3

The wicked thinks, in foolish pride, There is no God who will repay; He has no fear of God or man Because God's judgments long delay.

Verse 4

Unmoved by fear of coming doom, On fraud and wickedness intent, With craft he lurks and waits to catch The helpless and the innocent.

Verse 5

A lion crouching for his prey, He waits the poor to overthrow; He thinks that God remembers not, Or hides His face and will not know.

Verse 6

Arise, O Lord, lift up Thy hand, O God, protect the poor and meek; Why should the proud Thy justice doubt, And words of bold defiance speak?

Verse 7

O Lord, Thou wilt indeed requite, The sin and sorrow Thou dost see; The helpless and the fatherless Commit themselves, O Lord, to Thee.

Verse 8

Break Thou the power of wicked men And let their works no longer stand; The Lord is King for evermore, Who drove the nations from His land.

Verse 9

Lord, Thou hast heard the lowly prayer, The fainting heart Thou wilt restore, The helpless cause Thou wilt maintain, That mortal man may boast no more.